Dracula Book 1: The Impaler

Dracula (Dark Horse) #1

by Matt Wagner, Kelley Jones (Artist), José Villarrubia (Colorist)

Comic book veterans Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones join forces on this new graphic novel take on the world’s most famous vampire!

The first of four planned volumes, The Impaler explores the legendary count before his debut in the novel—from his first foray into the dark arts to his rise to lord of the undead!

Wagner and Jones explore the veiled stories from Dracula, diving into the bloody, horrifying events between the lines of the famed horror novel.

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Vampires, Fantasy, Fiction, Supernatural

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2024

About the author

Matt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist. In addition to his creator-owned series' Mage and Grendel, he has also worked on comics featuring The Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre and Trinity, a DC Comics limited series featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adaptation of the original Bram Stoker work in the widest of definitions - the novel is more of a springboard for Wagner to basically create Dracula: Origins. So there's a lot of black magic, a smattering of boobs, lots of death, the devil in the form of a 9-year-old, and lots of atmospheric Kelley Jones art. I only really knew Jones from the Aliens book he has drawn, and I wasn't too fond of his goofy looking xenomorphs, but I really enjoyed his art here, full of light and shadow.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected.

(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)

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[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much of this Dracula on offer,



a little more of this one,



and the first glimpses of this one (a personal fave):



But for the most part it features Our Man Vlad slogging through 7 years of Dark Magic Grad School, under the baleful supervision of Headmaster Satan, until he discovers his fellow students are conspiring against him so of course he impales the lot of them on fresh hewn pine stakes which felt a little more like this:



If you want a hard R-rated version of the tale of Vlad Dracula's (relative) descent from barbaric warlord to unholy undying entity this is the book for you. Bonus points for the physical copy's plus-sized format, really makes one feel one is perusing a forbidden text in a dusty archive...

[Juraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a manga guy. I find 95% of comic books boring but when I saw the art for this (hail Nerdrotic and Az) I couldn't resist. On few spots it rivals Junji Ito in horror and craziness but at the same time I find depiction of people not appeasing at all. Are they ugly on purpose or is this author's style?
Story is satisfying but third or quarter of the book was spent in magic school which I found dull. This is god damned Dracula, not Satan's Harry Potter! Hopefully future books will have more action now that Dracula's origin has been explained.

[Ben A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones come together to tell the evil, horror-fueled origin of Dracula and how he comes to be the character we first meet in Bram Stoker's novel. Wagner's writing was top notch and Jones's art was phenomenal. This collaboration between the two was really something special. I will eagerly anticipate the next volume of a planned four.

Special Thanks to Dark Horse Comics and Edelweiss Plus for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presented as an expansion of the novel, this feels more like a fan-fiction origin of Dracula. Nothing wrong with that I guess, it just takes a lot of liberties with what is presented in the novel.

Kelley Jones is someone I liked but don't usually love. Its odd because I feel like his indebtedness to the horror of Wrightson should appeal to me more. Here he's in good form drawing some really cool scenes but at times the panels are a bit difficult to understand.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very dark, very graphic, and very good. Wagner & Jones at the top of their respective games here and I’ll be searching for hardcovers of this and successive volumes!

Read via e-ARC from publisher & Edelweiss for a fair review

[Samidha; समिधा · Rating 1 out of 5]

In minority here, but this was terrible - completely ruined the classic for me. Maybe I should’ve paid a closer look to the tags of the book. I don’t think I am the intended audience for this.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was tremendous.
Read in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down.
Two masters at work
Really imaginative, clever take from both writer and artist and a clear work of passion. Kelly’s art stunning as are the colours from Villarrubia.

[Tim Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I supported the Kickstarter for this one and finally got around to reading it. This is not the cover for the Kickstarter hardcover, but I couldn't find an easy jpg of it to kipe. Wagner and Jones' intention in these books is to fill in the blank spots in Stoker's book. Which is not a bad way to go. This first book finds Vlad the Impaler making a pact with Satan to study the dark arts, which ultimately leads to him becoming the first true vampire. Kelley Jones was born to do this kind of thing. And Wagner does a great job of establishing the noble hubris of Vlad, which will ultimately lead to the Dracula of the novel. Nicely done. I plan to support the upcoming Kickstarter for volume 2.

[The Geeky Viking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writer Matt Wagner and artist Kelly Jones have outdone themselves with this fantastic retelling of Dracula's origin. The visuals are simply stunning and the story reads like a lost Hammer horror flick from the 70s. This is the first book of four and I can't wait to see what this duo cooks up next. Highly recommended!

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to be a pleasure to read all 3 volumes in this horror series! Great story, art, characters, and sets the perfect mood for horror!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 Such an interesting take on the Dracula origin story and how Vlad the Impaler became the Dracula we later know. There was lots I liked but also a lot I didn’t care for… namely the art style.

There came a point where he mentions the devil looking like a young boy but truthfully to me he looked like Ed Grimley from SCTV. 😅

If I could see this comic with the art of the Dante’s Inferno graphic novel or see the Dante’s Inferno graphic novel have as much detail as this did, that would’ve been perfect.

I’m very taken out of comics when I don’t jive with the art style and that kept happening here, even when I was liking the story concepts.

I liked the idea of Vlad looking for further power and learning alongside others of different backgrounds looking to do the same but I do think the nudity was a bit gratuitous - felt a little like the “male gaze” concept you hear about more often. Every woman was only put in here to be naked and used by Vlad - even the powerful one attempting to get more power. As a woman, I found that a little annoying, but that aside I liked the idea to explore how he ended up as a vampire.

Overall entertaining enough to keep me wanting more but it needed a few fixes to be a solid 4 so I’ll give it a 3.75/5.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the preface here really helped me understand what really made this book different than the dozens of other Dracula stories- this one is told by Dracula! To really get into his head, see his evil deeds from his eyes (he absolutely is not made in anyway sympathetic) he reminds me of a more diabolical Dr. Doom. He craves power and will do anything to get more.

This story is beautifully illustrated, just really great art throughout. If you enjoy vampire stories (they’re so hot right now) I would say to read this. I am not a huge Dracula fan but this story was great. Highly recommend this one.

[Matt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the story of Dracula after he’s become the legend. But what led to that horrible transformation? That’s what this graphic novel covers.

This is not a retelling of the classic Dracula but rather the creation of a whole new mythic and backstory for the character.

Matt Wagner kills it with the writing. He’s on the top of his game. And omfg Kelly Jones is on another level. His art is simply breathtaking.

I can’t wait for volume 2 to be released. This is a must have for any comic horror fans.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark. And it is fun to see a different take on a Scholomance. The art is pretty good. And having the different students was interesting. And sure we have to end up with Vlad being a vampire at some point. But there was still a choice of what to do with those students. But rewriting Dracula from Dracula's point of view works pretty well. 3.5 of 5

[Scott Meister · Rating 5 out of 5]

The combination of Wagner and Kelley make the creative team that we have always wanted. Taking on a historical story and making it new again is a monstrous undertaking but I feel they are on the right path and can't wait to see where they take us

[Charles Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed a lot of Matt Wagner’s works, and this holds up with his best. Absolutely new and introguing history of how Dracula became the vampire that we all know. It’s bloody. It’s sexy. It’s well worth a read.

[Tomasz Stachowiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the origin story of Dracula. Pity the art is ugly. Oh, I'm sorry, the art is the sloppy/unfinished "style" that you either love or hate ;)

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t even make it all the way through this it was so bad. I got to the part with the devil’s Hogwarts and tapped out.

[Kaytlyn Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel that, perhaps, the artist has never seen a woman before

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I backed this book on Kickstarter (my copy has a different cover than the one depicted here - I have the KS-exclusive (I believe) Matt Wagner depiction of Drac peering over his cape, Zorro-like), because I LOVE Matt Wagner's work. I've been traditionally indifferent to Jones' artwork - I see the creepy appeal and I'm happy he has his fans, but there's something rubbery in the anatomy and something unfinished in the inkiness that has never connected with me. But I love Matt's work - particularly his creator-owned stuff (I couldn't keep up with all the pulp-hero stuff he was crafting for Dynamite), so I had to back this one.

Hmmm... I guess there's one other factor worth mentioning as prelude -- vampires are dumb. Zombies too. I just never got the appeal. I like horror - the human species is capable of incredible monstrosity, but I so rarely feel that horror monster motifs are used to effectively examine "actual human" horror. But if someone can make Dracula work (I haven't read Stoker's novel, never had much desire, as might seem obvious), I figured Matt Wagner's the guy.

On some level, I appreciate the craft of Wagner and Jones' work here. Weaving the historical Vlad Dracul, monstrous old Vlad Tepes, into Stoker's legacy is an obvious move, but adds some very real evil to the saga. Dracula's depravity and evil is delivered palpably - nothing misunderstood or sugar-coated about this guy. He's a monster. Jones makes him monstrous. The literal encounter with Satan and studying "evil" ... I guess that's one way to explain his origin, certainly more original than him being bitten by another vampire and getting powers that way. It's dark, claustrophobic, and vile, and it works really well at showing a man diving headfirst into evil for his glory because his own glory is all that will ever matter to him.

That said, I don't give a shit about Dracula, right? So what's the point? That some people are evil and will do anything? We know that. Taken on its own, it was a good book, probably worth four stars, but the review and the rating exist beyond that - did this set up three more books? Can't say I'm waiting with bated breath. Did this make me reconsider vampire myth or Stoker's work? Can't say it did. I'm honestly curious ... I enjoyed THE IMPALER, but when the next Kickstarter campaign rolls out, will I pony up for THE BRIDES? I don't know...

[Ángel Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esperaba mucho más de Wagner, la verdad, pero mucho menos de Jones, por lo que al final la cosa se compensa un poco... pero no mucho. Como nunca me ha gustado el estilo de Kelley Jones, que no me parece sino un clon inferior en todos los aspectos del gran Berni Wrightson, lo que buscaba en este volumen era una historia de origen al menos tan interesante como la que en su día crearon Marv Wolfman y Neal Adams en el magazine Dracula lives. Ya, ya. Pedía demasiado, pero es que, insisto Matt Wagner me gusta mucho prácticamente siempre.

Aquí, lo que vemos es una serie de escenas presuntamente impactantes débilmente hilvanadas en una narrativa en la que nuestro conde favorito va a estudiar magia en la Hogwarts de Satán con una serie de colegas extremadamente mal caracterizados (la única que se salva más o menos es la novieta de Vlad) y que, obviamente, acaban conspirando contra Drácula por ser el teacher's pet. Vaya, qué sorprendente que un montón de brujos malvados se apuñalen por la espalda por el favor del diablo. Pero resulta que, en un giro que nadie vio venir, todos son gilipollas, así que se beben hasta la última gota del vino drogado que les trae el conde, y luego son empalados por su envenenador. Brindo por eso.

Pero es que Vlad también es bastante gilipollas, y pretende asesinar al mismísimo Lucifer. Para sorpresa de nadie, no logra su propósito, y en cambio no sabemos si es maldito o bendito (la narrativa aquí es confusa) por su Satánica Majestad, que lo transforma en... tachán, tachán... ¡un vampiro! ¡Santo giro de guion inesperado, Batman!

En fin, que flojilla la cosa. Sorprendentemente, es Jones quien acude al rescate con uno de sus mejores trabajos gráficos, creando atmósferas verdaderamente siniestras y logradas, aunque, una vez más, los seres vivos no sean su fuerte (sus lobos, por ejemplo, parecen mutantes ofensivos para la vista). Sinceramente, la segunda parte no creo que me la compre. Ay, señor Wagner, se está haciendo usted viejo...

[Charles Sternberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this one, but was ultimately disappointed. A couple of things don't work for me. First, the tone and voice are not consistent with the original text of Dracula. There is modern cursing, so the language is not accurate to the time period, and the plot is a bit tedious. Basically, Dracula wants to learn dark arts from Satan so he can defeat his enemies. Much of the story takes place at Dracula's sholomance, where Dracula learns how to shape shift, talk to animals and control weather. None of this really enhances the character of Dracula from the novel or makes him more interesting in my opinion. Furthermore, Dracula is evil and bloodthirsty from the very beginning of this novel, so there is no room for character growth. He's also massively overpowered. He is literally a disciple of satan and an expert in magic. How am I supposed to believe that a regular person can kill him by catching him asleep and stabbing him through the heart with a stake? Overall, this depiction of him feels shallow.

The art here redeems some of my qualms with the story. There are several striking scenes and settings as well as some very creative creature designs. The impalements are appropriately gruesome and there are some well-done layouts. My only complaint is that sometimes the faces of characters are drawn inconsistently. For example, there are some panels right next to each other where Dracula's hair looks completely different.

Apparently, this is the first of four planned volumes. I'm curious to see what other stories about Dracula this creative team will explore. I wonder if one of the volumes will cover the events of the original novel from the perspective of Dracula. That might be fun.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the major strength of this, aside from the vintage horror feel of Kelley Jones' illustration work along with José Villarrubia's colour sensibility, is the Scholomance. It's true, that Vlad is pretty much the same person we know him as in Bram Stoker's work, and I just love the steps that both Matt Wagner and Jones took to filling in those gaps in the epistolary segments of the original vampire epic.

The Scholomance is where we see Vlad develop his powers. We see how he does it. We also see how he develops his weaknesses, many of which were literally -- and thematically -- brought on himself. I do wish that I had bought the hardcover of this story when I had the chance on Kickstarter, but I will get the digital version of Book Two and wait until all four books are released, preferably in a collection.

I very much enjoyed this, and I look forward to seeing what happens with The Brides.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones team up for a four volume Dracula origin story.

This first volume focuses on the transformation, as Dracula commits himself to the Devil's Scholomance to learn how to truly defeat his enemies, only for things to take a vampiric turn. There's some neat ideas here regarding the weaknesses that vampires face and where those come from, and I did enjoy the interplay of the characters within the Scholomance itself. Drac's a git, but it's easy to see him being a git coming - we know we're not meant to cheer for this guy, he's freaking Dracula.

Letting horror master extraordinaire Kelley Jones loose on the artwork, especially in the bigger page size, is a treat. Some panels are a little dark, but overall there's a reason people always call out Jones when it comes to horror comics, because no one does it like him.

A solid start. If all four books are like this, it's gonna be a show.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biggest factor that sold me on this is that it's early pre vampire Dracula attending Satan's scholomance in Transylvania, which is SO cool. Read through this in like a half hour though, this book was kickstarter funded in like 2023 and came out last year, and the kickstarter for the sequel was last year but that book doesn't even come out til November this year? And the kickstarter for book 3 just started and that won't come out til "at least October 2026"?? Graphic novels are crazy dude, I know it's about way more than just reading the words on the page, like the amount of art and formatting for a 120 page GN has gotta be insane, but idk I guess I just need to stick to reading old GNs that have already wrapped up...

[Michael Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of a four volume graphic novel that explores the backstory of Dracula before the events of Bram Stoker’s novel. The story is of Prince Vlad the Impaler of Walachia set during a war with the Ottoman Empire quest to can enough power to win the war. To do so Vlad must seek to learn for Satan himself at his school of dark sorcery. This is a story of the purist of power, betray and horror in the best ways possible. In keeping with the tradition of Dracula this is erotic themes.
The art style of Kelly Jones really meshes well with Matt Warner’s writing. I can’t wait for this team to release Dracula Book 2: The Brides. I rate this 4.75 stars out of 5 stars.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wagner and Jones attempt at adding to Dracula's lore, fleshing out things that aren't explained in the original novel. This is about how Dracula gets his powers, studying at Satan's teat to become the most evil and powerful he can become.

Kelley Jones's artwork is made for these kinds of stories. He's toned down some of his more grievous anatomy flubs where he's give humans about 30 ribs. Everything here looks on the up and up horrific and macabre.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of the kings for comic book horror Matt Wagner and Kelly Jones team up on a Dracula book?! My expectations could not have been higher and my excitement matched it. My experience however surpassed it. Their take on the Dracula legend is not just epic it is fresh. I could not put it down. Now I am impatiently waiting for the next three volumes. In the meantime I’ll just have to re-read. Not harm there.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty weak Dracula origin story. An angry but militarily outmatched Dracula goes on a betrayal filled quest to find Satan’s special college for sorcerers. He has a sidekick, a girlfriend, and some wizard classmates, but all of them are flat and uninteresting. Dracula himself is dull as well. He hates the Turks, but spends a lot of time chasing magic and killing non-Turks.